Does Your Soul Gasp for Air?
When I just read this line in a book, it stopped me in my tracks. That line—"Does your soul gasp for air?"—is powerful because it taps into a visceral feeling we all experience when we're out of alignment with our true purpose. It evokes the image of suffocation, as if our soul, the very essence of who we are, is starved for the life it was meant to live. When we ignore our soul’s purpose, it’s like pressing pause on our true self, leaving us stuck in a life that feels stagnant, uninspiring, and hollow.
When we avoid this connection to ourselves, the disconnect manifests in subtle, yet profound ways. We may find ourselves feeling numb or restless, dissatisfied with what once felt comfortable. It's as if we're moving through life on autopilot—going through the motions of what’s expected: chasing the career ladder, following societal norms, or living out someone else’s dreams, but never truly pausing to ask, “Is this what lights me up?”
In these moments, our soul is crying out for attention. When we neglect to listen, we might feel like we're losing our way because, in essence, we are. Our purpose is deeply tied to our fulfillment and joy. By staying on the "safe" path or sticking to a life that others deem acceptable, we suffocate the parts of ourselves that crave freedom, creativity, and adventure. We lose our inner compass, and with it, the vibrant, unfiltered connection to who we truly are.
This detachment can lead to feelings of emptiness, anxiety, or even resentment because we’re suppressing the soul’s natural inclination to grow, explore, and evolve. Our soul desires expansion, to experience the world through the lens of purpose, joy, and meaning. But when we continue to silence that voice, the result is disconnection—not just from our purpose but from life itself.
Avoiding the call of our soul doesn’t just delay our growth—it creates a life of resistance. We become weighed down by the heaviness of obligations, trapped in routines that feel more like shackles than opportunities. Our soul becomes like a butterfly, yearning to spread its wings but held back in the cocoon of fear, doubt, and external expectations. It longs to emerge, transformed and free, yet remains stuck in the painful process of resisting its own metamorphosis.
The moment we begin to reconnect with our soul, we breathe life back into ourselves. The mundane transforms into the extraordinary as we start to pursue the things that truly light us up. We find ourselves moving with purpose, our steps guided by passion, intuition, and deep fulfillment. This reconnection isn’t just a luxury—it’s necessary for us to thrive. It's how we find our way back to ourselves, and in doing so, we unlock the path to living a life that’s aligned with who we are on a soul level, this my friend is the “unlocked butterfly”.
This is my hope for everyone going through their own personal growth, to allow yourself to reconnect with your soul and let it lead you, this my friend is the “unlocked butterfly” way.